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Now that voters passed Public Question 1 and have given the legislature its marching orders on marijuana, driven by racial justice, let's make sure New Jersey delivers. Here's what we need to see: https://twitter.com/amandahoovernj/status/1323822504264257537
The goal must be to cure the harms of the racist war on drugs.
As with people, in a society plagued by systemic racism, it's insufficient for legislation to be non-racist racist, it must be proactively anti-racist. This is the frame by which the legislature must act. (2)
As with people, in a society plagued by systemic racism, it's insufficient for legislation to be non-racist racist, it must be proactively anti-racist. This is the frame by which the legislature must act. (2)
Equity & racial justice must govern every aspect of the legislation and the industry. Otherwise, we will see a mostly white and elite New Jersey cannabis industry built on the backs of criminalized Black and brown people.
Here are specifics, rooted in campaign data... (3)
Here are specifics, rooted in campaign data... (3)
Decriminalization: We must immediately stop all arrests for marijuana related offenses, and stop all unnecessary police interactions. Full stop.
It is a gross injustice that NJ has voted to legalize, but we don't have ANY guidance from the state on how to stop arrests. (4)
It is a gross injustice that NJ has voted to legalize, but we don't have ANY guidance from the state on how to stop arrests. (4)
Pending charges: Prosecutors are STILL wasting massive resources prosecuting people for marijuana possession. See link for a case from Ocean Cty. This is outrageous. We must immediately dismiss all charges and stop saddling people w/ criminal records. (5) https://www.nj.com/marijuana/2020/10/critics-question-decision-to-reinstate-case-against-teens-caught-with-marijuana-on-nj-beach.html
Expungements: We must see robust and automated processes for clearing past convictions. Last year, NJ passed a law that begins that work. It's been delayed but it must come well before the creation of industry. Otherwise, we've got our priorities wrong.(6) https://www.njspotlight.com/2019/12/legislature-clears-the-way-for-expunging-minor-drug-offenses/
The industry MUST look like NJ. There are many ways to do this thru equitable licensing structures, and we've seen several examples of innovation in other states.
There must be no barrier to entry for ppl with criminal convictions - in fact, they must be given an advantage. (7)
There must be no barrier to entry for ppl with criminal convictions - in fact, they must be given an advantage. (7)
Tax revenue: we must generate sufficient tax revenue and direct that revenue toward repairing communities - particularly Black communities - damaged by the war on drugs. Again, full stop. (8)
Good thread by my friend @Brandon_McKoy on this: (9) https://twitter.com/Brandon_McKoy/status/1323819439008206848?s=20
Because of systemic racism, these are often the same communities ravaged by COVID and the financial crisis, the foreclosure crisis, lead in water, environmental issues, underfunded schools, poverty, and aggressive over-policing. The potential is there - let's get it right. (10)
The state also needs to explicitly acknowledge that this is an ongoing conversation with a rapidly developing industry. We need to continuously improve on the legal structures around it to deliver justice every chance we get. (11)
There are further opportunities for access, growth, and justice: equitable delivery licensing, home grow, continual changes to policing - not another pretextual stop ever again, and much more. (12)
And we can't be afraid to improve. Listen to communities.
If we find the industry is not inclusive, fix it. If tax revenue is lacking, raise it. If not enough people have access to the market, expand it.
If there is still policing of marijuana - stop it and defund it.
(13)
If we find the industry is not inclusive, fix it. If tax revenue is lacking, raise it. If not enough people have access to the market, expand it.
If there is still policing of marijuana - stop it and defund it.
(13)
We have the potential to do something good here and lead the country in equity and racial justice and anti-racist policy. The voters voted. Don't let us down, New Jersey.
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